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The newest 3D printer from BCN3D is a futuristic beauty. The BCN3D Sigmax is the heavy-duty version of its tinier predecessor, with added features to guarantee usability and print accuracy.

Usability

Sigmax is built with a full color capacitive touchpad which makes it easier for users to control its various settings. This 3D printer also runs on Cura-BCN3D, the company’s customized version of the globally renowned open source slicing software of the same name.

Being an open source software, users also gain access to quality protocols, manufacturing processes, and design techniques from the helpful BCN3D community. This helps users discover new ways to maximize and speed up the 3D printing process.

Design Freedom

The BCN3D Sigmax was manufactured with the user’s limitless design capabilities in mind. The company built this model with a one-of-a-kind Independent Dual Extruder (IDEX) system, which allows users to print with two materials or colors simultaneously. In cases where only one tool head is needed, this system keeps the idle tool head parked to prevent molten material from dripping all over the workplace.

The IDEX system also makes it possible for the Sigmax to features two printing modes: the duplication mode and the mirror mode. Under the duplication mode, both tool heads work by simultaneously printing the exact same model to increase production within a short period of time. While under the mirror mode, the tool heads print the model and its symmetrical part at once to effectively shorten design times.

Users are also given the freedom to create completely functional parts, as well as complex designs. With its ability to fuse the properties of two completely different materials, the Sigmax is fully capable of creating a unique new material.

The company is also aware of how hard it is to create geometrically intricate designs, so the Sigmax was made to be compatible with water soluble supports. With this type of material, the printed object can be immersed into water to neatly dissolve the supports off it – thereby reducing the possibility of any damage which may be caused if the non-soluble support material would have to be cut off.

Sigmax works with various hot-ends which allows for many design possibilities. It can print either the tiniest or the largest objects, or use abrasive filaments to produce functional parts. And to create intricate designs, the Sigmax can be used with nozzles of different sizes ranging from 0.3 mm to 1.0 mm. In fact, it is also possible to combine different nozzle sizes, thanks to the model’s unique IDEX system.

Capacity

Undoubtedly, Sigmax can produce mass quantities. It has a printing volume of 420mm x 297mm x 210mm, which proves itself to be a 3D production powerhouse. Nonetheless, this BCN3D model is also capable of producing small-scale prints.

Depending on the size of the nozzle, the Sigmax has a layer height ranging from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm. It also has accurate positioning resolutions of 12.5 µm for the X axis, 12.5 µm for the Y axis, and 1 µm for the Z axis.

As for its heating capacity, this model has a maximum extruder printing temperature of 280°C, while its heated bed can reach temperatures of up to 100°C. The Sigmax can fully operate in temperatures ranging between 15°C and 35°C.

Material Compatibility

Aside from the common polyactic acid (PLA) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) filaments, the BCN3D Sigmax is also compatible with other materials like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), co-polyester, nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), and high impact polystyrene (HIPS).

Other Features

Aside from the Cura-BCN3D, this model is also compatible with the Simplify3D software. It can run on many operating systems, including Windows, MAC, and Linux. Supported file types include stereolithography files (STL), object files (OBJ), and additive manufacturing files (AMF).